Temperature monitoring device for shower system

ABSTRACT

A shower system includes a receptacle connected to an inlet tube for receiving a fluid, a temperature detector engaged in the receptacle for detecting a temperature of the fluid, a showering device attached to the receptacle, a container is connected to the receptacle for receiving the fluid from the receptacle, and connected to the showering device, a showering head is connected to the container, and a control valve is engaged in the container for controlling the fluid to flow out through either the showering device or the showering head selectively. The temperature detector monitors the temperature of the fluid flowing out through either the showering device or the showering head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a temperature monitoring device, and more particularly to a temperature monitoring device for a shower system including an improved and simplified structure or configuration for monitoring and displaying the water temperature of two or more showering facilities.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various kinds of typical shower systems or apparatuses have been developed and provided for showering purposes, and various kinds of typical temperature monitoring devices have been developed and attached to the typical shower systems or apparatuses and provided for monitoring and displaying the water temperature flowing out of the typical shower systems or apparatuses and for allowing the user to shower with the appropriate water temperature, and for preventing the user from being hurt by the over-heated water and the like.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,360 to Fortune, U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,881 to Raz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,543 to Raz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,550 to Monk, U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,120 to Bowen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,860 to Yuch, U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,452 to Banza, U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,579 to Banza, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,431 to Caramanna disclose several of the typical temperature monitoring devices attached to various kinds of typical shower systems or apparatuses for monitoring and displaying the water temperature flowing out of the typical shower systems or apparatuses, and normally comprise a temperature sensor or detector attached to the shower head or nozzle of the shower systems or apparatuses for sensing or detecting the water temperature flowing out of the shower head or nozzle.

However, the typical temperature monitoring devices may only be provided and attached to the shower head or nozzle, but may not be provided and attached to the other showering facilities; i.e., the typical temperature monitoring devices may not be used for monitoring and displaying the water temperature flowing out of two different showering facilities, such as the shower head and the spraying nozzle.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,552 to Fan, U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,776 to Wu, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,299,510 to Tsai disclose several of the typical shower systems or apparatuses each comprise two different showering facilities. However, two different or separated temperature monitoring devices are required to be prepared and attached to the two different showering facilities when required.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional temperature monitoring devices for shower systems or apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a temperature monitoring device for a shower system including an improved and simplified structure or configuration for monitoring and displaying the water temperature of two or more showering facilities.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower system comprising an inlet tube, a temperature monitoring device including a receptacle having an inlet port connected to the inlet tube for receiving a fluid from the inlet tube, the receptacle including a chamber formed therein and communicating with the inlet port of the receptacle for receiving the fluid from the inlet port of the receptacle, and a temperature detector engaged in the chamber of the receptacle for detecting a temperature of the fluid from the inlet tube and into the chamber of the receptacle, a first showering device, such as a fixed showing head attached to the receptacle, a water control device including a container connected to the receptacle for receiving the fluid from the receptacle, and the container being connected to the first showering device, a second showering device, such as a showing nozzle connected to the container, and a control valve engaged in the container and adapted for controlling the fluid to flow out through either the first showering device or the second showering device selectively. The temperature detector of the temperature monitoring device may be used to detect and monitor the temperature of the fluid flowing out through either the showering device or the showering head.

The temperature monitoring device includes a displayer, and a generator coupled to the displayer and received in the chamber of the receptacle for generating the electric energy, and the temperature detector is electrically connected to the generator. The temperature monitoring device includes a housing engaged into the chamber of the receptacle, and the generator is engaged in the housing.

The generator includes a spindle, and the temperature monitoring device includes a paddle wheel attached to the spindle and rotated in concert with the spindle for allowing the generator to be actuated by the fluid with the paddle wheel. The housing includes a compartment formed therein, and an orifice formed in the housing and communicating with the compartment of the housing for receiving and engaging with the spindle.

The housing includes a cavity formed therein and communicating with the compartment of the housing for receiving and engaging with the generator. The housing includes a peripheral fence extended axially and outwardly from the housing for forming an inner space in the peripheral fence and for receiving and engaging with the paddle wheel.

The temperature monitoring device includes a casing positioned between the receptacle and the housing, the casing includes a bore formed therein, and the paddle wheel is rotatably received and engaged in the bore of the casing. The casing includes at least one pathway formed therein and communicating with the bore of the casing for allowing the fluid from the inlet port of the receptacle to flow into the bore of the casing.

The container includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and a partition provided in the container for forming a first outlet space and a second outlet space, and two apertures formed in the partition for communicating the first and the second outlet spaces with the inlet chamber of the container respectively, and for allowing the fluid from the inlet chamber of the container to flow into either of the first or the second outlet spaces of the container.

The control valve includes a control chamber formed therein for selectively aligning and communicating with either of the first or the second outlet spaces of the container. A first pipe may further be provided and connected between the inlet chamber of the container and the0 and the chamber of the receptacle for allowing the fluid to flow from the chamber of the receptacle to the inlet chamber of the container selectively.

The container includes an exit communicating with the second outlet space of the container, and the exit of the container is connected to the second showering device. The receptacle includes a peripheral manifold formed therein and offset from the chamber of the receptacle, the manifold of the receptacle is connected to the first showering device, and a pipe connects the peripheral manifold of the receptacle to the first outlet space of the container. The receptacle includes a peripheral bulge extended radially and inwardly into the chamber of the receptacle, and the peripheral manifold is formed in the peripheral bulge and offset from the chamber of the receptacle.

The container includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and a barrel engaged in the inlet chamber of the container and positioned to the container, and the barrel includes a bore formed therein, the control valve includes a shaft extended axially and outwardly therefrom and engaged through the bore of the barrel, and a control knob is secured to the shaft for rotating the control valve relative to the barrel and the container. The barrel includes a spring biased projection for engaging with the control knob and for positioning the control knob to the barrel and the container at a selected position.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a temperature monitoring device for a shower system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the temperature monitoring device for the shower system;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the temperature monitoring device for the shower system, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a temperature monitoring device for the shower system;

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of the temperature monitoring device for the shower system, as seen from the front portion of the temperature monitoring device;

FIG. 6 is another partial exploded view of the temperature monitoring device for the shower system, as seen from the rear portion of the temperature monitoring device;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the temperature monitoring device, taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the temperature monitoring device, taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 9, 10 are cross sectional views of the temperature monitoring device, taken along lines 9-9, and 10-10 of FIG. 7 respectively;

FIG. 11 is another partial perspective view illustrating a water control device for the shower system;

FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view of the water control device for the shower system;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the water control device for the shower system, taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the water control device for the shower system, taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13; and

FIGS. 15, 16 are cross sectional views similar to FIG. 13, illustrating the operation of the water control device for the shower system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a temperature monitoring device in accordance with the present invention is developed and provided for attaching to a shower system or apparatus and provided for monitoring and displaying the water temperature flowing out of the shower system or apparatus, and the shower system comprises an inlet tube 10 attached or mounted or secured to a wall member 9 (FIG. 3) for connecting or coupling to a water reservoir (not illustrated) or the like, and for receiving or obtaining a water or fluid from the water reservoir, and the temperature monitoring device 2 in accordance with the present invention is to be attached or mounted or secured to the inlet tube 10 for sensing or detecting the water temperature of the water or fluid from the inlet tube 10.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 4-10, the temperature monitoring device 2 includes an outer housing or receptacle 20 having an inlet port 21 formed or provided therein for connecting or coupling to the inlet tube 10 and for receiving or obtaining the water or fluid from the inlet tube 10, and the receptacle 20 includes a compartment or chamber 22 formed therein and communicating with the inlet port 21 for receiving or obtaining the water or fluid from the inlet port 21, the receptacle 20 further includes a peripheral bulge 23 extended radially and inwardly into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 for forming or defining an inner passage 24 therein which is arranged or located between and communicating with the inlet port 21 and the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. It is preferable, but not necessary that the inlet port 21 is extended axially and outwardly from the peripheral bulge 23 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 6, 7).

The receptacle 20 further includes a peripheral manifold 25 formed or provided therein, such as formed in the peripheral bulge 23, and offset or spaced or separated from the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20, and further includes an outlet port 26 formed or provided therein and communicating with the manifold 25 (FIG. 7) for allowing the water or fluid from the manifold 25 to flow out through the outlet port 26 of the receptacle 20 (FIG. 10) and for connecting or coupling to an inlet port 12 of a first showering device 11, such as a fixed shower apparatus or head 11 which may receive or obtain the water or fluid from the manifold 25 of the receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 further includes a peripheral fence or mouth 27 formed or provided on the lower or bottom portion thereof and communicating with the manifold 25 and the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20, best shown in FIG. 7, for connecting or coupling to another or second showering device 13, such as a shower nozzle 13 or the like.

A barrel or housing 30 is received or engaged into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 and secured to the peripheral bulge 23 and/or the receptacle 20 with screws or bolts or catches or latches or fasteners 31 or the like (FIGS. 6, 7), the housing 30 includes a peripheral flange or fence 32 extended axially and outwardly and/or forwardly therefrom (FIG. 6) for forming or defining an inner space 33 therein, and includes one or more openings 34 formed or provided in the peripheral fence 32 and the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20, and for allowing the water or fluid from the space 33 of the peripheral fence 32 to flow out through the openings 34 of the peripheral fence 32 (FIGS. 7, 10) and to flow into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. The housing 30 further includes a chamber or compartment 35 formed therein (FIG. 5), a recess or cavity 36 formed therein and communicating with the compartment 35 of the housing 30, and a hub or orifice 37 formed therein (FIG. 6) and communicating with the cavity 36 and/or the compartment 35 of the housing 30.

A cup or casing 40 is further provided and disposed or engaged into the passage 24 of the peripheral bulge 23 and/or of the receptacle 20, and also engaged into the space 33 of the peripheral fence 32 of the housing 30, and to be solidly and stably anchored or retained or positioned between the peripheral bulge 23 and/or the receptacle 20 and the housing 30, the casing 40 includes a compartment or bore 41 formed therein, and one or more pathways 42 formed therein (FIGS. 5-6, 8) and communicating with the bore 41 of the casing 40 for allowing the water or fluid from the inlet port 21 of the receptacle 20 to flow into the bore 41 of the casing 40 (FIG. 8), and into the space 33 of the peripheral fence 32 of the housing 30, and then to flow into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. A paddle wheel 43 is pivotally or rotatably received or engaged in the bore 41 of the casing 40 and to be actuated or rotated or operated by the water or fluid flowing into the bore 41 of the casing 40.

A temperature monitoring device 5 is to be attached to or engaged in the compartment 35 of the housing 30, and includes a displayer 50 engaged in the compartment 35 of the housing 30, and a generator 51 attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the displayer 50 and received or engaged in the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 and also engaged in the compartment 35 and/or the cavity 36 of the housing 30, and the generator 51 includes a spindle 52 rotatably extended or engaged through the orifice 37 of the housing 30, and the spindle 52 is attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the paddle wheel 43 and rotated in concert with the paddle wheel 43, for allowing the generator 51 to be actuated or operated by the water or fluid with the paddle wheel 43, and for allowing the generator 51 to generate the electric energy in order to energize the displayer 50 and the like. The temperature monitoring device 5 further includes a temperature probe or sensor or detector 53 electrically connected or coupled to the generator 51 and received or engaged in the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 and/or engaged in the compartment 35 of the housing 30 for sensing or detecting the water temperature of the water or fluid from the inlet tube 10 and into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20.

A cover 54 may be attached or mounted or secured to the housing 30 and/or the receptacle 20 for solidly and stably anchoring or retaining or positioning the displayer 50 of the temperature monitoring device 5 and the housing 30 to the receptacle 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 11-16, a water control device 6 may further be provided and includes a housing or container 60 attached or mounted or secured to the wall member 9 with screws or bolts or catches or latches or fasteners or suction cup 61 the like, and includes a recess or inlet chamber 62 formed therein, and a partition 63 and/or a separating member 64 formed or provided in the inner portion of the container 60 for forming or defining two or more outlet spaces 65, 66, and includes two or more apertures 67, 68 formed in the partition 63 and/or the separating member 64 for communicating the outlet spaces 65, 66 with the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 respectively, and arranged for allowing the water or fluid from the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 to flow into either or both of the outlet spaces 65, 66 of the container 60, best shown in FIGS. 13 and 15-16.

As also shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 11-16, a first pipe 70 is provided and disposed or connected or coupled between the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 and the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 with couplers 71, 72 for allowing the water or fluid to flow from the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 3, 7) to the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 selectively (FIGS. 3, 13, 15), and one or first of the outlet spaces 65 of the container 60 is connected or coupled to the manifold 25 of the receptacle 20 with a second pipe 73 and couplers 74, 75 for allowing the water or fluid to flow from the first outlet space 65 of the container 60 (FIGS. 3, 13, 15) to the manifold 25 of the receptacle 20, and then to the outlet port 26 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 7, 10) and the fixed shower head 11 selectively. An outer cover or shield 76 may further be provided and attached or mounted or secured between the container 60 and the mouth 27 of the receptacle 20 and engaged onto the pipes 70, 73 for covering or shielding the pipes 70, 73.

The container 60 includes an exit 69 (FIGS. 1-2, 11-12) connected or coupled to and/or communicating with the other or the second outlet space 66 of the container 60 for connecting or coupling to the shower nozzle 13, and for allowing the water or fluid to flow from the second outlet space 66 of the container 60 to the shower nozzle 13 selectively when the water or fluid flows from the inlet chamber 62 to the second outlet space 66 of the container 60 selectively (FIGS. 13, 16). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a carrier or holder device 77 may further be provided and includes a through hole 78 formed therein for slidably receiving or engaging with the shield 76, and arranged for allowing the holder device 77 to be adjusted and anchored or retained or positioned to the shield 76 at suitable or selected or required positions or locations. The holder device 77 includes a socket opening 79 formed therein for receiving or engaging with the shower nozzle 13 selectively.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 11-13 and 15-16, a holder or barrel 80 is attached or mounted or secured or engaged in the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 and anchored or retained or positioned to the container 60 with screws or bolts or catches or fasteners or latches 81 or the like, and includes a bore 82 formed therein (FIG. 12), and a control valve 83 is pivotally or rotatably received or engaged in the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60, and includes a shank or shaft 84 extended axially and outwardly therefrom and pivotally or rotatably received or engaged through the bore 82 of the barrel 80 and secured or connected or coupled to a button or control knob 85 which may pivot or rotate the control valve 83 relative to the barrel 80 and the container 60. The control valve 83 includes a control chamber 86 formed therein for selectively aligning or communicating with either or both of the outlet spaces 65, 66 of the container 60 (FIGS. 13, 15-16) by pivoting or rotating the control valve 83 relative to the barrel 80 and the container 60.

The control knob 85 may be attached or mounted or secured to the shaft 84 with screws or bolts or catches or latches or fasteners 87 or the like. A spring biasing member or spring biased projection 89 may further be provided and attached or mounted or secured to the barrel 80 for selectively engaging with the control knob 85 and for selectively and suitably anchoring or retaining or positioning the control knob 85 to the barrel 80 and the container 60 at suitable or selected or required positions or locations. For example, the control knob 85 includes one or more depressions 88 formed therein (FIGS. 13, 15-16) for selectively engaging with the spring biased projection 89 and for anchoring or retaining or positioning the control knob 85 to the barrel 80 and the container 60 at the selected or required positions or locations.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-8, the water or fluid from the inlet tube 10 may flow through the pathways 42 and into the bore 41 of the casing 40 and to actuate or rotate or operate the paddle wheel 43 which may actuate or operate the generator 51 to generate the electric energy, the water or fluid may then flow through the openings 34 of the peripheral fence 32 of the housing 30 and to flow into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20, for allowing the temperature detector 53 (FIG. 8) to sense or detect the water temperature of the water or fluid from the inlet tube 10 into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. The water or fluid may then flow from the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 3, 7) through the first pipe 70 and into the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 (FIGS. 3, 13, 15-16).

The control valve 83 may then be pivoted or rotated relative to the barrel 80 and the container 60 with the control knob 85, in order to align or communicate the control chamber 86 of the control valve 83 with either or both of the outlet spaces 65, 66 of the container 60 (FIGS. 13, 15-16) and for allowing the water or fluid from the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 to flow into either or both of the outlet spaces 65, 66 of the container 60. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the control chamber 86 of the control valve 83 is communicating with the one or first of the outlet spaces 65 of the container 60, the water or fluid may flow from the first outlet space 65 of the container 60 to the manifold 25 of the receptacle 20, and then to the outlet port 26 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 7, 10) and the fixed shower head 11 selectively.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the control chamber 86 of the control valve 83 is communicating with the other or the second outlet space 66 of the container 60, the water or fluid may flow from the second outlet space 66 of the container 60 to the shower nozzle 13 selectively for showering purposes. Or, selectively, as shown in FIG. 13, the control chamber 86 of the control valve 83 may also be aligned with or communicating with both of the outlet spaces 65, 66 of the container 60, for allowing the water or fluid to flow out through both the fixed shower head 11 and the shower nozzle 13. It is to be noted that only one temperature monitoring device 2 is required to be prepared and attached to the inlet tube 10, and the water temperature of the water or fluid flowing through both the fixed shower head 11 and the shower nozzle 13 may all be sensed or detected and monitored with the single temperature monitoring device 2.

Accordingly, the temperature monitoring device for a shower system in accordance with the present invention includes an improved and simplified structure or configuration for monitoring and displaying the water temperature of two or more showering facilities.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

I claim:
 1. A shower system comprising: an inlet tube; a temperature monitoring device including a receptacle having an inlet port connected to said inlet tube for receiving a fluid from said inlet tube, said receptacle including a chamber formed therein and communicating with said inlet port of said receptacle for receiving the fluid from said inlet port of said receptacle, and a temperature detector engaged in said chamber of said receptacle for detecting a temperature of the fluid from said inlet tube and into said chamber of said receptacle; a first showering device attached to said receptacle; a water control device including a container connected to said receptacle for receiving the fluid from said receptacle, and said container being connected to said first showering device; a second showering device connected to said container; and a control valve engaged in said container and adapted for controlling the fluid to flow out through either said first showering device or said second showering device selectively.
 2. The shower system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temperature monitoring device includes a displayer, and a generator coupled to said displayer and received in said chamber of said receptacle, and said temperature detector is electrically connected to said generator.
 3. The shower system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said temperature monitoring device includes a housing engaged into said chamber of said receptacle, and said generator is engaged in said housing.
 4. The shower system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said generator includes a spindle, and said temperature monitoring device includes a paddle wheel attached to said spindle and rotated in concert with said spindle for allowing said generator to be actuated by the fluid with said paddle wheel.
 5. The shower system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing includes a compartment formed therein, and an orifice formed in said housing and communicating with said compartment of said housing for receiving and engaging with said spindle.
 6. The shower system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said housing includes a cavity formed therein and communicating with said compartment of said housing for receiving and engaging with said generator.
 7. The shower system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing includes a peripheral fence extended axially and outwardly from said housing for forming an inner space in said peripheral fence and for receiving and engaging with said paddle wheel.
 8. The shower system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said temperature monitoring device includes a casing positioned between said receptacle and said housing, said casing includes a bore formed therein, and said paddle wheel is rotatably received and engaged in said bore of said casing.
 9. The shower system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said casing includes at least one pathway formed therein and communicating with said bore of said casing for allowing the fluid from said inlet port of said receptacle to flow into said bore of said casing.
 10. The shower system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and a partition provided in said container for forming a first outlet space and a second outlet space, and two apertures formed in said partition for communicating said first and said second outlet spaces with said inlet chamber of said container respectively, and for allowing the fluid from said inlet chamber of said container to flow into either of said first or said second outlet spaces of said container.
 11. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control valve includes a control chamber formed therein for selectively aligning and communicating with either of said first or said second outlet spaces of said container.
 12. The shower system as claimed in claim 11, wherein a first pipe is connected between said inlet chamber of said container and the and said chamber of said receptacle for allowing said fluid to flow from said chamber of said receptacle to said inlet chamber of said container selectively.
 13. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said container includes an exit communicating with said second outlet space of said container, and said exit of said container is connected to said second showering device.
 14. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said receptacle includes a manifold formed therein and offset from said chamber of said receptacle, said manifold of said receptacle is connected to said first showering device, and a pipe connects said manifold of said receptacle to said first outlet space of said container.
 15. The shower system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said receptacle includes a peripheral bulge extended radially and inwardly into said chamber of said receptacle, and said manifold is formed in said peripheral bulge and offset from said chamber of said receptacle.
 16. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said container includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and a barrel engaged in said inlet chamber of said container and positioned to said container, and said barrel includes a bore formed therein, said control valve includes a shaft extended axially and outwardly therefrom and engaged through said bore of said barrel, and a control knob is secured to said shaft for rotating said control valve relative to said barrel and said container.
 17. The shower system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said barrel includes a spring biased projection for engaging with said control knob and for positioning said control knob to said barrel and said container at a selected position. 